CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002846 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, USIP-SOLOMON NSC FOR GREEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2015 TAGS: PINS PTER PREL MY RP SUBJECT: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST GRP-MILF INFORMAL TALKS REF: A. MANILA 1857 ¶B. MANILA 2559 ¶C. MANILA 2785 ¶D. MANILA 1748 ¶E. MANILA 2777 Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) A GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint Statement heralded as a success the eighth round of "exploratory talks" on June 21 between their respective peace panels under Malaysian facilitation in Kuala Lumpur (ref A). The talks were "marked with a high level of mutual trust and confidence," according to the document. The GRP's Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) provided poloff the statement (full text below) in which Malaysia joined the GRP in congratulating the MILF on its successful May 30 Public Consultation (ref B),and recognized the resulting "clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People" for the MILF to negotiate for a lasting political solution. The parties extended the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group's Interim Guidelines for a year (ref C). ¶2. (SBU) Comment. This round did not provide any breakthroughs, although the sense of optimism remains strong among both parties instead of just with the always-rosy OPAPP. According to the statement, all sides are focusing on the "Governance Aspect of Ancestral Domain" (ref D) and intend to tackle this subject even more deeply in July. Separately, contacts with the MILF Peace Panel's Technical Working Group noted progress in discussing the "Sudan formula" of political autonomy (e.g., incorporating among other things power and wealth sharing as components of a political settlement). Press reports indicate several models are under consideration, according to OPAPP head Secretary Teresita Deles. ¶3. (C) Comment continued. One concern is that leadership crises in the past have forced the peace process to the back burner. Although there are no current indications that the GRP is unfocused regarding the peace process, there is a possibility the shaky political situation in Manila (ref E) could deflect the Administration's attention away from the negotiations. The sense of optimism spawned from the May 30 MILF consultatation still exists, but the meticulous and contentious nature of ancestral domain will require more attention than the GRP may be able to spare in the near term. End Comment. ¶4. (U) Begin Full Text of GRP-MILF Joint Statement. IN THE NAME OF GOD THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL JOINT STATEMENT The 8th Round of Exploratory Talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the facilitation of the Government of Malaysia held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 20-21, 2005 was marked with a high level of mutual trust and confidence. The Parties, while expressing satisfaction with the positive achievements of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG),agreed to the extension of the Interim Guidelines of the AHJAG for a period of one (1) year from June 21, 2005, subject to further discussions on proposed amendments to its guidelines. The Malaysian Secretariat joined hands with the GRP Panel in congratulating the successful holding of the MILF General Consultation at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, a tribute to the leadership of the MILF and a reflection of its clear mandate from the Bangsamoro People to negotiate with the Philippine Government toward a peaceful, just, lasting and comprehensive political solution to the Bangsamoro problem. Both Parties agreed to forge clear parameters and principles to be pursued on the strand on Governance of the Ancestral Domain aspect of the negotiations. In this context, the Parties agreed to resume talks in July 2005. Finally, both Parties express their gratitude to the Malaysian Government for the continuing support to ensure the success of the GRP-MILF Peace Process. Done on the 21st of June 2005 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For the GRP (signed) SEC. SILVESTRE C. AFABLE, JR. Chairman, GRP Peace Panel For the MILF (signed) MOHAGHER M. IQBAL Chairman, MILF Peace Panel End Full Text. BELLARD